Isobel King

Broken pipes, sagging ceilings and bruised egos are some of the lesser casualties of projects gone wrong, and if you believe the stats, around half of all DIY projects end in disaster.

Paying to fix a botched job – and dealing with smug tradies – will quickly wipe out any potential savings and brownie points.

So question whether you really have the time, tools and ability to pull off a major DIY project or renovation before you reach for the sledgehammer. And heed the following advice from those who have survived it.

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1. Planning and managing

It's a fact: your planning and project management skills will make or break a renovation – as well as a marriage. So quit now if you don't think you're up to it. Research should be exhaustive and your plan as detailed as possible. Divide your wish list into three categories: essential, optional and desirable. Then get out the red pen.

Work out a time line and budget, allowing for a 20 per cent contingency. Make sure you get any required planning approvals and owner-builder certificates.

You'll have a better shot at domestic harmony if you divvy up the major tasks: one manages the budget, the other oversees the tradies and timeline. And both share the drudgery of chores and daily clean up.

2. Renovate or detonate

You need to ask the question. There are fewer surprises when you build from scratch, so it doesn't always make sense to renovate. Determine if the structure is sound and consider the resale value of your endeavours.

Perhaps consult an architect, building designer or even an experienced draughtsperson who can advise you on the merits of the project you're considering.

3. Keep it friendly

Build good relationships with neighbours and tradies; fall-outs invariably cost time and money.

Alert neighbours well in advance to particularly noisy or intrusive phases of the reno.

Rely on recommendations, not the lowest quote, when choosing your team, as an alluring quote can quickly spiral when unforeseen problems surface.

And always check their credentials. Proper coordination and liaison with your various tradies should avoid unnecessary repeat visits – the idea is to get as much work done in one hit without creating a traffic jam. This is where your time line is critical.

4. Keep a clean, safe work site

Topping the list of most common DIY accidents are falls from ladders and roofs, and injuries from power saws. If you're knee-deep in rubble, you not only risk accidents, but you'll misplace tools and lose items. And keep delivered materials in a safe place so your expensive new basin isn't smashed by a random swing of the hammer.

A cautionary word on asbestos. New figures show an alarming rise in cases of malignant mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos during home maintenance and renovation, so educate yourself on what to look for and call in the professionals if you're in any doubt.

5. Stay on site

The worst mistakes happen when you're not around to prevent them. Light switches and power points in the wrong place; tiles cuts in the worst spot; incorrect materials delivered; plumbing on the wrong wall... the list is endless and they've all happened.

Try to keep a discreet presence on site as much as possible so you can keep a watchful eye on progress and are available to answer questions on the fly. It's also much cheaper if you can run to the hardware store to pick up a missing floor waste than pay for your plumber's time.

6. Avoid made to measure

So if you're planning a renovation bear this in mind for everything from windows and doors, to vanity units and shelving.

And a handy piece of advice: if you're planning a bathroom from scratch, tailor your internal room measurements to the size of your tiles. That way, you'll save a fortune in off-cuts.

7. Future proof

It's far cheaper to lay new wiring and plumbing during construction than it is retrospectively. In planning phase, think where things like desk computers, phones and stereo equipment will live, even if you're not planning on purchasing them right now. You'll avoid unsightly, exposed wires and trailing extension leads down the track.

Sometimes it's worth adding the shell of a spare room that can be converted later into whatever you need, and use it as storage in the interim.

8. Don't keep changing your mind!

It's expensive, unnecessary and guaranteed to get your workers offside.

And in worse case scenarios, you'll have to go back to council to amend your plans, causing lengthy delays.

Finalise your plan and then stick to it.

This goes for everything from the type of toilet you choose, to the height of your stacking glass doors, size of your tiles and type of insulation. It should all be decided at planning stage.

9. The devil is in the detail

Shop around for fittings and finishes well in advance, even if you don't have them delivered straight away. Take advantage of specials and trawl the internet for bargains. You don't want to be caught at the last minute dashing out for taps on a Sunday when the only store open is the expensive designer store on the corner.

10. DIY doesn't always save money

Don't assume doing it yourself will automatically save money. Buying or hiring tools is a major outlay. Unless you're very experienced, you'll be learning on the job, making mistakes and paying for expensive fixes if something goes badly wrong.

The job will probably take triple the time it would if you called in the pros, and life as you know it will disappear in an unforgiving haze of sweat, dirt and dust. If you're still up for it, good luck.

This information is general in nature. Each project will have its own list of tools, equipment, skills and safety issues to consider.

Please consult with experts to ensure you are working safely and that your finished project will be safe and functional.

34 comments so far

"smug tradies"?. Pfft none of this is rocket science. I've done most of the renovations in our house (because I can;t afford Tradies) and to a higher quality than any tradie rush job. Now I'd like them to visit my workplace and see how much they can do of my job? not much at all I suspect. You're all overpaid, but the market has a habit of correcting itself in the long run. Enjoy the good times while they last.

Commenter

e2

Location

Engineer

Date and time

April 18, 2012, 1:13PM

Smug "engineer"?

Commenter

Mr Cool

Location

Date and time

April 18, 2012, 2:01PM

I am a tradie... not domestic though.. you have to realise that the run of the mill tradie doesn't make that much after you factor in all the out goings and bad debts.. Insurance costs a fortune and when you dont pay because one powerpoint was forgotten out of $10000 work what happens then? is it ok for us to go bankrupt fighting for it legally as well as lost wages in those times.. find a good quality tradesman, do your research, ask for other jobs so you can look. if the price seems really cheap you have a cowboy who is going to give a poor quality service. if you treat them well and plan correctly it will be done right done once and look good

Commenter

GB

Location

Date and time

April 18, 2012, 2:44PM

Mate, tradesmen are qualified people, and generally the best at what they do... I deal with tradesmen daily, and I'm quite handy myself, but I'd never dream of doing a DIY reno. How to go wrong instantly. Then people wonder why it went over budget and cost so much? Let the blokes do their job Mr. Engineer. Do you think it's just charging $3000 for a consult? Oh that's okay, but a kitchen renovation is surely not worth $20,000? Well if you don't know prices, then shut it, and let people do their jobs.

And for the record, I am an engineer, and a construction manager.

Commenter

tano

Location

Sydney

Date and time

April 18, 2012, 5:07PM

Most Tradies are not over paid. Actually its quite the opposite. There are some elite companies that charge huge prices but they seem to always get work from the wealthy.

You try getting a loan if you are a regular tradesman contractor/sole trader.... If you employ people they will get a loan easier than you will lol Even thought they are dependent on you.

What I can say is that there are so many different products on the market & coming on the market that many products are being used for the first time... so it can be trial & error or educated guess work sometimes.

Here is a common saying ... 'you need to be a tradie to tell a tradie what to do'. This applies in most fields.

If you know what you want & are willing to pay what it costs then you are part the way to getting a good job. If you look for the lowest price or want to screw people you will get what you deserve in the end.

Wow .. such a typical comment from an engineer!Maybe its more a case of everything I touch turns to gold (in my eyes) but everything you do I could do better syndrome.

Commenter

haha

Location

DIY

Date and time

April 18, 2012, 6:47PM

Bet it took a few trips to Bunnings to do your DIY Reno Mr Engineer. You wouldn't know quality trade work even if you could afford the skills of a professional tradesman. We make a fortune fixing up the DIY disasters of 'experts' like yourself, see you soon when it all falls apart!

Commenter

All the way to the bank

Location

Date and time

April 18, 2012, 8:00PM

Tradies are overpaid? To become a tradesman it is a four year qualification, much like any university qualification. Believe what you will but it is a profession and deserves to be paid as such.

If you believe that you can perform any trade type task to a better standard than a tradesman, then I wish you the best of luck with installing wiring to the dozen or so Australian electrical standards that we tradesman/electricians are bound to. Or installing a gas line throughout your house without causing a dangerous situation.

Tradesman are not simply labourers with a high hourly rate. There are good and bad tradesmen much like engineers (as your screen name implies). I work with engineers that couldn't find their ass with radar and I also work with some that are incredible professionals.

Commenter

gungerbeer

Location

Date and time

April 19, 2012, 8:26AM

@ enengineer, I am an electrician (one of the OVERPAID tradies). I did a quote for someone about 18 months ago. A small job, the quote was a few hundred dollars. (less than $500.00) the client said it was to dear, as were the other 5, yes 5 quotes he had. he decided to do the work himself. No problem that's up to him. A couple of months later i happened to drive past the same place to do another quote about 200 mtrs away. As i drove past i noticed a place that had fire damage, plastic tarp covering the roof etc etc. At first i didn't realise that i had given the owner a quote to put up some lights and what not. When i arrived at my destination and during general conversation the person i was doing the quote for told me that the place with fire damage was as a result of D.I.Y work. Then it dawned on me, it was the 5 quote man. he did the job himself, caused the fire because he THOUGHT he knew what he was doing. A very common thing. PEOPLE THINK THEY KNOW. But because he did his own work and was UNLICENCED, and could not produce a certificate of electrical safety. NO INSURANCE COVERAGE. He now has a home with a mortgage that he can't live in until he finds the $67,800.00 to repair and make safe his home, at least he saved the few hundred to put his lights up. If you people think the insurance companies wont find out YOUR WRONG. Sleep well tonight engineer.

Commenter

Pablo069

Location

Sth East Melbourne

Date and time

April 29, 2012, 3:23PM

@engineer. As you are an engineer i'm sure that you have calculated the new max demand including your new D.I.Y reno(s). Just as I'm sure that you will have calculated the correct cable to use taking into account voltage drop over the length of that cable etc etc etc. And I'm sure that you haven't 'mixed' your curcuits or just tapped into an existing one and added a few bits. because as an engineer you would know all about theese things wouldn't you?????? Gee and I have only mentioned the things that a 1st year apprentice knows about. I won't go into all the other considerations the need to be taken account of. Don't complain when your house burns to the ground and your insurance company sends you a letter headed CLAIM DENIED. If as an "engineer" you can't afford to pay tradesmen you must be completing serious reno's. That's scary........

Commenter

Pablo069

Location

Sth East Melbourne

Date and time

April 29, 2012, 3:43PM

Pablo, your quote sounds reasonable. It's when I'm quoted thousands for a minor gutter replacement just because I drive an expensive car is what irks me. And BTW, no need to advise me on how to wire a house. Come back to me when you can apply and solve Maxwell's equations and use Smith charts for design of high voltage transmission lines. Also didn't your 5 quote customer have a safety switch installed? Folks, these prevent most fires and will save you against faulty wiring.